Optimisation of use of waste materials by Rhodopseudomonas palustris
type: CreativeWork
description: A major challenge facing humanity is to combat anthropogenic climate change, and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. One approach that has gained increasing popularity over the last few decades has been the generation of power by biodiesel, derived from plants, rather than traditional fossil fuels. However, a consequence of this increase in biodiesel manufacture is an increase in the production of waste glycerol – a low-value by-product. There is currently no cost-effective, ecologically sound solution for how to use or dispose of this waste glycerol. However, metabolising that waste biologically (bioremediation) is an option with considerable potential, and *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* is a strong candidate for bioremediation of waste glycerol. *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* is a hardy, toxin-resistant, and metabolically flexible bacterium. These traits make it an ideal candidate for breaking down waste glycerol, which is of varying composition, and may contain some toxic components. Although bioremediation of waste glycerol has previously been demonstrated to be possible using *R. palustris*, it is not currently economically feasible. It is therefore important to investigate ways to add value to waste remediation i.e. waste valorisation. This thesis investigates ways to increase the potential of *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* to valorise waste glycerol. In particular, this thesis addresses the possibility of using *R. palustris* for the production of cyanophycin, which would allow storage of carbon and nitrogen, and is potentially a high-value product. Cyanophycin production could allow for the simultaneous remediation of glycerol and urea (a nitrogenous waste from e.g. livestock manure slurries). This thesis first reports on the evolutionary history of an alternative cyanophycin producing enzyme, CphA2 (distinct from the widely studied CphA1). Phylogenetic analysis reveals for the first time that CphA2 is found outside of the cyanobacteria, and that there have b…
abstract: A major challenge facing humanity is to combat anthropogenic climate change, and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. One approach that has gained increasing popularity over the last few decades has been the generation of power by biodiesel, derived from plants, rather than traditional fossil fuels. However, a consequence of this increase in biodiesel manufacture is an increase in the production of waste glycerol – a low-value by-product. There is currently no cost-effective, ecologically sound solution for how to use or dispose of this waste glycerol. However, metabolising that waste biologically (bioremediation) is an option with considerable potential, and *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* is a strong candidate for bioremediation of waste glycerol. *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* is a hardy, toxin-resistant, and metabolically flexible bacterium. These traits make it an ideal candidate for breaking down waste glycerol, which is of varying composition, and may contain some toxic components. Although bioremediation of waste glycerol has previously been demonstrated to be possible using *R. palustris*, it is not currently economically feasible. It is therefore important to investigate ways to add value to waste remediation i.e. waste valorisation. This thesis investigates ways to increase the potential of *Rhodopseudomonas palustris* to valorise waste glycerol. In particular, this thesis addresses the possibility of using *R. palustris* for the production of cyanophycin, which would allow storage of carbon and nitrogen, and is potentially a high-value product. Cyanophycin production could allow for the simultaneous remediation of glycerol and urea (a nitrogenous waste from e.g. livestock manure slurries). This thesis first reports on the evolutionary history of an alternative cyanophycin producing enzyme, CphA2 (distinct from the widely studied CphA1). Phylogenetic analysis reveals for the first time that CphA2 is found outside of the cyanobacteria, and that there have b…
author: Collins, Joel
language: eng
keywords: biochemistry, genetic engineering, microbiology, molecular biology, purple bacteria, waste, waste remediation
license: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/4b8d3792-b482-4681-b247-e9dc048a5322/download
license: https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
date published: 2024-05-29
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:06Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.113168